Storytimes
Storytime on the Lawn
Storytime on the Lawn will be held on a weekly basis in the lawn space at four GRPL locations. Feel free to bring your own blanket for seating. To keep our outdoor storytimes fun and engaging they are limited to the first 20 participants. Weather permitting. For ages 18 months – 5 years old.
June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26
6:00 pm | West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW
(This is a bilingual storytime.)
June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 14, 21, 28
10:30 am | Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
10:30 am | West Side Branch – 713 Bridge NW
June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 15, 22, 29
10:30 am | Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE
Storytime in the Park with StorytimeGR
Join us this summer for stories, free books and ice cream, special guests, and a whole lot of fun! For all ages of kids and teens. StorytimeGR is a partnership of the Grand Rapids Public Library, Read GR, Grand Valley State University, and Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
6:30 pm | Garfield Park – 2111 Madison SE
June 15, July 27, August 10
6:30 pm | Martin Luther King Jr. Park – 900 Fuller Ave SE
June 29, July 13, August 17
6:30 pm | Lincoln Park – 1120 Bridge St NW
Outdoor Storytimes with GRPL
If you love stories, songs, and rhymes join the Grand Rapids Public Library for a chance to get the wiggles out with your friends at the park on Monday mornings! For ages 0 – 5 years old. Storytime Kits are available for every child to take home (while supplies last).
June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13
11:00 am | Martin Luther King Jr. Park – 900 Fuller Ave SE
June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20
11:00 am | Lincoln Park – 1120 Bridge St NW
Vamos a Leer!
This storytime, in collaboration with Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL), Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities (GAAH), Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), LINC UP, and MSU Extension celebrates the power of being bilingual and hispanic heritage. The stories we share will be read in both Spanish and English.
Vamos a Leer! en Español
Esta hora de cuentacuentos, en colaboración con la Biblioteca Pública de Grand Rapids (GRPL), Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities (GAAH) [Artes y Humanidades de la Avenida Grandville], Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), LINC UP, and MSU Extension [Extensión de la Universidad del Estado de Michigan], celebra el poder de ser bilingüe y la Herencia Hispana. Se leerán los cuentos que compartiremos en español e inglés.
Let’s Talk about Race
This series of virtual storytimes focus on the ways parents and caregivers can talk about race with children. Enjoy books featuring racially diverse characters, immersive sing-along songs, and tips for introducing race into conversations with young learners.
A special thank you to Simon and Schuster for granting GRPL permission to share these stories. Learn more.
Phone-a-Story
Call the library’s Phone-A-Story line each week to hear a new story read aloud by a GRPL Youth Librarian. Listen to pre-recorded stories, songs, and rhymes in English or Spanish. This service is accessible 24/7. Dial 616-988-5494 and follow the directions when prompted.
Phone-a-Story en Español
Llame a la línea de “Un Cuento Por Teléfono” de la biblioteca cada semana para escuchar una nueva historia leída en voz alta por un bibliotecario juvenil de GRPL. Escuche historias, canciones y rimas pregrabadas en inglés o español. Este servicio es accesible 24/7. Marque 616-988-5494 y siga las instrucciones cuando se le solicite.
Baby & Me Storytimes
Bring your baby, 0-18 months, and bounce along to fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Baby & Me is a 15-minute storytime followed by a relaxed playtime where you and baby will meet new friends.
This event is currently postponed in response to COVID-19.
Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years, to share fun stories, songs, and rhymes and learn together! Toddler Time is a 25-minute long storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime designed to help your child’s brain grow.
This event is currently postponed in response to COVID-19.
Family Time
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their children 18-months to 5 years old to this 45-minuted class featuring hands-on, literacy rich activities such as stories, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity.
This event is currently postponed in response to COVID-19.
Pajama Time
Get cozy in your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animals or blanket, and come to the library for a special bedtime event! Listen to stories, sing songs, and get those wiggles out before bed. Great for working parents!
This event is currently postponed in response to COVID-19.
Bilingual Pajama Time
Join us for an evening bilingual storytime filled with fun stories, movement, and music activities. The 30-minute English and Spanish storytime followed by a hands-on activity and playtime. Wear your pajamas and get those wiggles out before bed! For families with children 5 and under.
Hora de Pijamas en Español
¡Ven a la biblioteca para disfrutar una hora de cuentos bilingüe para toda la familia! Compartiremos cuentos, rimas, musica, y movimiento. La Hora de Pijamas en Español incluye 30-minutos de lectura y movimiento seguido por una actividad para los niños y tiempo para jugar juntos. ¡Ven a la biblioteca vestido en tus piyamas para un evento especial antes de dormir!
This event is currently postponed in response to COVID-19.
STEAM Ahead
Children ages 3-5 can discover the world around them through science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Join us for a 20-minute storytime followed by 25-minutes of hands-on activities.
This event is currently postponed in response to COVID-19.
